Divorce mediators work very hard to help their clients reach agreements out of court. This is no easy task, as the divorce mediator must work with both spouses at the same time. This takes a lot of time, communication, and effort.
Divorce mediation can be a successful process for you if you and your spouse want to settle your divorce out of court, without spending unnecessary time and money with attorneys. However, for the process to work, there is a great deal of cooperation required. The following is a list of helpful tips for a successful mediation:
1. Open communication
Divorce mediation is a transparent process. This means that everyone should be in the loop about what is going on at all times.
At Alternative Divorce Solutions, we ask that our clients copy each other on all e-mails that come to our office staff. This ensures that everyone is involved in all of the conversations. If you are willing to commit to the divorce mediation process, you should also be willing to openly communicate about things concerning the mediation to both the divorce mediator and your spouse.
2. Willingness to cooperate
Your divorce mediator can use every skill he or she has to settle your case. However, this will not work if you do not cooperate with the divorce mediator and the process of your divorce mediation.
Cooperation means bringing your financial paperwork, consulting with professionals such as financial advisers, mortgage professionals, and tax professionals if and when needed. In addition, when you make an appointment to come in and see your divorce mediator and need to reschedule it, try to do so in a timely manner to avoid unnecessary delays.
3. Open mindedness
Sometimes you may be able to see options in divorce mediation that you had not thought of before. The saying goes “there is more than one way to skin a cat” and that rings true in divorce mediation.
To make sure that you and your spouse end up with the best outcome for your specific situation, remain open to the options that your mediator suggests or that your spouse suggests. You, your spouse and the divorce mediator must work as a team to create the best agreement for you, your family and your future.